BAGUIO CITY (PIA) — The National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF ELCAC) is recalibrating efforts to counter insurgency even beyond the borders of the Philippines.
NTF ELCAC National Secretariat Executive Director Ernesto Torres Jr. said that they are eyeing the establishment of mechanisms to address the efforts of the Communist Terrorist Groups (CTGs).
He said that the task force has been very successful in its efforts inside the country through the whole-of-nation approach but there is a need to establish the same mechanism abroad.
“There are some hindrances abroad that we cannot fully do what we can do in countering the efforts of CTGs. But we will establish soon ‘yung ganun na mechanism in selected countries kung saan malakas ang mga CTGs,” Torres said.
Torres mentioned that there are also proposals for the rebranding of the NTF-ELCAC as the National Coordinating Council for Unity, Peace, and Development and establishing the same coordinating council overseas.
“In addition to our domestic initiative, the fight must extend internationally. We must confront and dismantle their harmful narratives abroad and work in collaboration with global partners to cut off any sources of funding,” Torres underscored.
He added that the task force must continue to craft mechanisms and continue to deliver the messages to the public including Filipinos abroad for them to understand the efforts of the NTF-ELCAC in gaining lasting peace and sustainable development.
Torres emphasized that the task force is winning the fight against insurgency by resolving its root causes and by countering international solidarity works.
He also called for unity to sustain the gains of the NTF ELCAC and for a better tomorrow for all Filipinos.
“By staying resolute, we can ensure that our momentum in building a peaceful, stable, and a prosperous Philippines continues to thrive for generations to come. Magtulungan po tayo para sa isang matatag, maginhawa, at panatag na buhay tungo sa Bagong Pilipinas,” Torres enjoined. (JDP/DEG-PIA CAR)
